Y Block Rams Horn manifolds

[Sledsel]

Did a kit ever come with these? I have been unsuccessfully trying to make some from styrene rod. I am thinking maybe solder, but all I found is to big or to small.

Anyone know of a kit manifold that maybe could be cut and modified?

No, an older SBC manifold just looks like a SBC manifold.

Edited January 20, 2022 by Sledsel

[Ace-Garageguy]

The Mopar "display" cast iron headers in the old AMT '28 Ford sedan kit look like they could possibly be a starting point; lotsa file and fill work though:

Edited January 20, 2022 by Ace-Garageguy

[Greg Myers]

all the kits out there with the "Y" block Ford , it's hard to imagine there aren't some in a kit. 

[Ace-Garageguy]

5 minutes ago, Greg Myers said:

all the kits out there with the "Y" block Ford , it's hard to imagine there aren't some in a kit. 

I checked all the '56-'57 Ford products from AMT, came up empty. Pretty sure the Revell '57 is a dead end too.

Going to have a look at the Revell '56 Ford truck.

Still...there were a lot of differently-represented Chevy ram's horns done over the years.

My guess is that there's a poorly done Chevy manifold out there that might look really good as a Ford.

[Greg Myers]

I would think a Chevy rams horn manifold that looks close and with a little putty work, you might get what you need 

[Sledsel]

7 minutes ago, Greg Myers said:

I would think a Chevy rams horn manifold that looks close and with a little putty work, you might get what you need 

Yea, I was thinking the same today. 

The rough part is I believe these ram horn manifolds came on the bigger trucks.

[Mark]

They did come on heavier trucks, not pickups.  One of the car magazine guys called them "furniture truck manifolds".  An oversize Chevy exhaust manifold might be a good starting point.  If I had a 1:1 part handy, I'd scratchbuild one and make castings.

[RSchnell]

I've never seen any and would like to have a few pair myself. I'm a bit of a Y-block fan! You don't see the truck ram horn exhaust used in 50s passenger cars due to fit issues- but they look great on street rods.

 

[tim boyd]

On 1/20/2022 at 2:47 PM, Sledsel said:

Did a kit ever come with these? I have been unsuccessfully trying to make some from styrene rod. I am thinking maybe solder, but all I found is to big or to small.

Anyone know of a kit manifold that maybe could be cut and modified?

No, an older SBC manifold just looks like a SBC manifold.

Andy, the simple answer is "no". 

And yes, like you I would love to see these Lincoln and Ford Heavy Truck "ram's horn" manifolds in scale.  In fact, we almost got some when Revell was looking for a Y-Block Lincoln V8 to scale for their 1950 Mercury wagon kit, but was unsuccessful despite several people looking on their behalf...

TIM 

Edited January 22, 2022 by tim boyd

[junkyardjeff]

I just been using sbc manifolds for that purpose,I know they are not exact bit close enough for me.  I think they only came bigger trucks so I doubt any has been made.

[tim boyd]

14 hours ago, junkyardjeff said:

I just been using sbc manifolds for that purpose,I know they are not exact bit close enough for me.  I think they only came bigger trucks so I doubt any has been made.

My understanding is that the Ram's horn manifolds were also found on the Lincoln Y-blocks, as the Lincoln Y-Block and Super Duty Ford Truck Y Blocks were largely the same.   If they were not used on Lincoln Y-Blocks, please someone present a definitive source proving that point.   

Thanks....TIM  

 

 

[afx]

The images at the link below show the ram-horns on the 317 which I understand was used in the cars.

http://www.ford-y-block.com/lincoln.htm

 

Edited January 22, 2022 by afx

[Ace-Garageguy]

5 hours ago, afx said:

The images at the link below show the ram-horns on the 317 which I understand was used in the cars.

http://www.ford-y-block.com/lincoln.htm

 

That site shows the 279/317 with ram's horn manifolds, but also states those displacements were for truck use...with the exception being the 317 in the '52-'54 Lincoln.

Photos of '52-'54 Lincoln engines invariably show the common up-and-over manifolds, with a crossover in front:

 

Edited January 22, 2022 by Ace-Garageguy
CLARITY and ACCURACY

[Painted Black]

Maybe someone could "print" some out??

[Ace-Garageguy]

12 minutes ago, Painted Black said:

Maybe someone could "print" some out??

Thing is, it would be so easy to modify some Chebby manifolds, as opposed to finding, measuring, drafting in CAD, converting to printable files, and then printing and shipping...why bother?

Sometimes old-school simplicity just makes a lot more sense than newfangled complication.   

[junkyardjeff]

The Lincoln manifolds will not bolt on a Ford but they look similar.

[Sledsel]

I am taking Greg's advise and making a set using a SBC as a starting point. If they come out good, when done I would freely lend them out for casting if anyone is interested.

 

[Ace-Garageguy]

6 hours ago, tim boyd said:

My understanding is that the Ram's horn manifolds were also found on the Lincoln Y-blocks, as the Lincoln Y-Block and Super Duty Ford Truck Y Blocks were largely the same.   If they were not used on Lincoln Y-Blocks, please someone present a definitive source proving that point.   

Thanks....TIM  

See my post above.

The reference site shows the ram's horn manifolds, but specifically states: "Lincoln Y-Block outfitted for HD truck use".

As I noted, every photo on the web of the reference-site noted 317 in the '52-'54 Lincoln shows NON-ram's horn manifolds.

I've also done extensive research on the later larger displacement Lincoln engines, for a historic Mercury race-car build, the '57 Mermaid, and a period hot-rod, and know for a fact those engines, in Lincolns and the MkII Continental, had NON-ram's horn manifolds as well. (NOTE: During the course of that research, I became involved in an old discussion concerning the supposed but incorrect "Lincoln" engine in the AMT chopped-T coupe double kit, as well...but those threads at Scale Auto went away with everything else.)

Edited January 22, 2022 by Ace-Garageguy
CLARITY

[tim boyd]

1 hour ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

See my post above.

The reference site shows the ram's horn manifolds, but specifically states: "Lincoln Y-Block outfitted for HD truck use".

As I noted, every photo on the web of the reference-site noted 317 in the '52-'54 Lincoln shows NON-ram's horn manifolds.

I've also done extensive research on the later larger displacement Lincoln engines, for a historic Mercury race-car build, the '57 Mermaid, and a period hot-rod, and know for a fact those engines, in Lincolns and the MkII Continental, had NON-ram's horn manifolds as well. (NOTE: During the course of that research, I became involved in an old discussion concerning the supposed but incorrect "Lincoln" engine in the AMT chopped-T coupe double kit, as well...but those threads at Scale Auto went away with everything else.)

OK Bill...thanks for that info.  Appreciate the follow-up.   TIM

[RSchnell]

6 hours ago, junkyardjeff said:

The Lincoln manifolds will not bolt on a Ford but they look similar.

Correct. The Lincoln manifold bolt holes are at an angle & the 292-312 Ford bolt pattern is straight across. 

 

8 hours ago, tim boyd said:

My understanding is that the Ram's horn manifolds were also found on the Lincoln Y-blocks, as the Lincoln Y-Block and Super Duty Ford Truck Y Blocks were largely the same.   If they were not used on Lincoln Y-Blocks, please someone present a definitive source proving that point.   

Thanks....TIM  

 

 

There were a lot of differences between the Lincoln passenger car Y-block and the "Heavy truck Y-block". Heads, cam, even blocks were all different between bore displacement. You will not find ram horn style manifolds on any Ford, Mercury or Lincoln passenger car engine of any displacement as the exhaust dump interferes with the front suspension of the car. This was not an issue on trucks since they had a solid front axle. 

[tim boyd]

13 hours ago, RSchnell said:

Correct. The Lincoln manifold bolt holes are at an angle & the 292-312 Ford bolt pattern is straight across. 

 

There were a lot of differences between the Lincoln passenger car Y-block and the "Heavy truck Y-block". Heads, cam, even blocks were all different between bore displacement. You will not find ram horn style manifolds on any Ford, Mercury or Lincoln passenger car engine of any displacement as the exhaust dump interferes with the front suspension of the car. This was not an issue on trucks since they had a solid front axle. 

Thanks Roger.  Clearly I have been mistaken on this subject. 

I do recall having seen a few traditional style hot rods with Lincoln Y=Blocks and the ram's horn exhaust manifolds. Based on yours and Bill's feedback, those must have undergone modifications to be used in that way.  

Thanks again, guys.  Always, always more to learn in this hobby.  TIM 

[Ace-Garageguy]

2 hours ago, tim boyd said:

I do recall having seen a few traditional style hot rods with Lincoln Y=Blocks and the ram's horn exhaust manifolds. Based on yours and Bill's feedback, those must have undergone modifications to be used in that way.  

There still seems to be some confusion. Maybe I can clear it up.

1) The Ford and Lincoln Y-blocks were generally similar designs, but two entirely different engines in specific design detail, that being the reason the "Lincoln" or "truck" ram's horn manifolds don't bolt to the Ford heads.

2) Some Lincoln Y-blocks, or minor variations, were indeed used in trucks...complete with the ram's horn headers.

3) To illustrate this, again, let me direct you to this website: http://www.ford-y-block.com/lincoln.htm

    Scroll halfway down the page. The two smaller photos show the "Lincoln" 279-317 dressed as truck engines with ram's horn exhaust manifolds.

4) The "truck" ram's horn headers were not installed in passenger cars that were powered by the 279-317, even though they'll bolt to the heads, because the independent front suspension in the passenger cars does not provide enough room for a downpipe. Scroll halfway up this page to my post showing a '54 Lincoln engine bay. You'll see the clearance issue.

5) A Lincoln 279-317 CAN be equipped with ram's horn manifolds if it's installed in a vehicle...like a traditional hot-rod or a truck...that has a beam front axle located in such a position as to allow physical space for said manifolds and downpipes, as long as no other parts or accessories physically interfere.

6) There ARE indeed FORD factory cast iron ram's horn exhaust manifolds that will bolt to the FORD Y-block 292-312 series of engines. Again, they were used primarily when the engines were installed in trucks, and they're a popular choice for traditional rod builders who want something different. SEE:    https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/traditional-y-block-s.68476/

7) There are also aftermarket cast iron ram's horn manifolds for the FORD Y-blocks.

Summing up, there are two distinct series of Ford-produced Y-block V8 engines, and there are two distinct designs of "ram's horn" cast iron exhaust manifolds that will fit them.

EDIT: I do NOT know all the possible permutations of Ford vs Lincoln Y-blocks...but I DO know that there ARE factory cast-iron ram's horn exhaust manifolds that will bolt to at least some of the "Lincoln" Y-block engines, and there are other factory (and aftermarket) cast iron ram's horn exhaust manifolds that will bolt to the Ford Y-block engines...and the bolt patterns and angles are indeed different.

NOTE: I'm currently double checking for factual accuracy, but at 09:38 EST, Jan. 23, 2022, I believe the above information to be correct.  

Edited January 23, 2022 by Ace-Garageguy
CLARITY and ACCURACY

[MeatMan]

Hey Andy, I'm dabbling in CAD design and would take on making a drawing of these on to help hone my skills. I could then print a set in resin.

No guarantees, but if you give me the end to end length, approx port size for the end ports and exhaust exit size I'll give it a go as long as you don't need them immediately.

[Painted Black]

22 minutes ago, MeatMan said:

I'm dabbling in CAD design and would take on making a drawing of these on to help hone my skills. I could then print a set in resin.

Now we're talking, if you get to production, I'll have a set.

[my66s55]

30 minutes ago, MeatMan said:

Hey Andy, I'm dabbling in CAD design and would take on making a drawing of these on to help hone my skills. I could then print a set in resin.

No guarantees, but if you give me the end to end length, approx port size for the end ports and exhaust exit size I'll give it a go as long as you don't need them immediately.

I think I saw in one of your recent posts that you are using Blender. First off, be aware of tunnel vision when using photos for background image. Search the web for good images and set up background images from available sides. This photo shows a more accurate straight on picture. It came from an ebay listing https://www.ebay.com/itm/165287597173?hash=item267be89475:g:EBkAAOSwLHhfWV9l and has more decent views. I've been using Blender for 7+ years so if you need any help, just message me.